New book gives fascinating peek into Swansea's history

Swansea’s High Street Station, circa 1910, is one of the many images in David Gwynn’s new book

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A selection of more than 180 photographs and illustrations in a new book charts the way Swansea has changed and developed over the past 100 years.

Central Swansea Through Time by former teacher-turned-historian David Gwynn, of Pontarddulais, looks at Swansea’s change from a crucible of the metallurgical industry to a modern city with a packed marina, a Premiership football team, a bustling waterfront, shopping malls and a hectic city centre night life.

Mr Gwynn said: “From obscure beginnings as a viking encampment, the city has undergone many changes over the years. It has been a Norman stronghold, a Regency spa-town, the centre of the world copper trade, a major coal exporting port, a Second World War blitz victim, a seaside resort and now a modern regional centre.”

The book has a fascinating photograph of Swansea’s High Street Station at around 1910 depicting what looks like a tram network and a group of men working on a lamp standard.

And a picture of Swansea’s South Dock – now Swansea Marina – shows it to be full of old-style wooden sailing ships.

Mr Gwynn said the siting of Swansea’s city centre was largely due to the Normans, who built Swansea Castle overlooking a crossing point on the strategically important River Tawe.

He said: “A network of streets developed around the castle which formed the heart of the little town.

“Today, this pattern of streets survives mostly intact. As Wales became a more peaceful place (after the Welsh resistance) the town began to thrive.

“The population had remained under 2,000 from the mid-1600s to the mid-1700s but by 1800 it had grown to more than 10,000. The reason for this was the first stirrings of the industrial revolution were being felt in the Swansea area.

“While the metallurgical industries were being formed, Swansea’s other reputation was developing on the western edges of the town.

In the 18th Century, Swansea was known as a spa resort where genteel folk were able to take to the waters, indulge in sea bathing and relax at the Assembly Rooms.

Georgian Swansea can still be traced around Cambrian Place and the Dylan Thomas Centre.

Beau Nash, a contemporary of Beau Brummell, was a well-known dandy who frequented not just Swansea but also Bath and London.

“The arrival of the railways though established Swansea as a major industrial centre,” said Mr Gwynn. “What had remained of the genteel Georgian Swansea was soon overwhelmed by the bustling, thriving town that had come to dominate the world’s metallurgical industries.

“The town suffered its worst blow during the Second World War when, in February 1941, it suffered three nights of bombing by the Luftwaffe.

“From the rubble, a new town centre grew, with wider streets and new buildings.”

David Gwynn taught in Swansea for 20 years and has written several books including Wales in the Golden Age of Picture Postcards.

Central Swansea Through Time, Amberley Publishing (£14.99) is available now.